06:31 P
Sunday 07 August 2022
Books – Youssef Afifi:
A Saudi source said that the Kingdom is currently studying the return of a “host” visa, which allows a Saudi citizen and resident inside the Kingdom of all nationalities, including Egyptian, to host those who wish to visit the Kingdom at any time for a value of 500 riyals.
The source added to “Masrawy”, that the return of the “host” visa will be within days, which is a visit visa, and allows its holder to travel immediately without a platform, barcode or the like, noting that it aims to eliminate the monopoly of Umrah visas in some countries.
He pointed out that this visa was activated in the past, but the Kingdom decided to cancel it by a Saudi decision early this year and before the month of Ramadan last, to make amendments to it and add other types of visas.
The source stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not aim to search for pilgrims only, but rather targets all types of visitors, noting that the Saudi Entertainment Authority issued from 16 to 17 million foreign visas per year.
He explained that the visit visa is a “host” affiliated with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and any Saudi citizen or resident in the Kingdom has the right to host any person on his sponsorship and pays the price of the visa at a value of 500 riyals, noting that this visa is directed to countries that monopolize Umrah visas and have no control over them, which requires the authorities In each country increasing the number of visas for companies.
“Masrawy” monitors 7 information about the “host” visa, according to the Saudi newspaper, Okaz, as follows:
1- It allows the Saudi citizen and resident to host whoever he wants for a period of 90 days.
2- The possibility of repeat recruitment 3 times a year.
3- A host visa allows the incoming visitor to have freedom of movement and residence.
5- A strait visa enables its holder to roam freely in the Kingdom.
6- Its cost per year is 500 riyals per person.
7- The visa makes it easier for the host to host from 3 to 5 pilgrims.
On the Egyptian level, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the start of preparation for the start of the new Umrah season 1444 AH, to ensure the preservation of the rights of Egyptian pilgrims and tourism companies.
This came in light of the Cabinet’s approval, headed by the Prime Minister, for the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to take the necessary measures in accordance with the “Egyptian Gateway for Umrah” law to register tourism companies to start the new season of Umrah 1444 AH, starting from the first of next October.
During the past few days and since the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced the opening of the door for Umrah and the start of receiving Umrah trips for this year, Dr. Khaled Al-Anani, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, assigned the leaders of the Ministry and the Supreme Committee for Umrah and Hajj, to start preparing for the new season and preparing the regulations governing Umrah trips, which are scheduled to It is presented to the Minister for approval, during the upcoming period, so that tourism companies can start announcing trips in accordance with Law No. 72 of 2021 regarding the Egyptian portal for Umrah. Implementation of the state’s strategic plans in the field of tourism in a way that ensures the preservation of Egyptian pilgrims.